Windows 10: Can I LEGALLY install Windows 11 when use a 7th generation Intel processor instead of an...

I have, at my small company, a few laptops with IntelR CoreTM i7-7700HQ CPU. According to the official requirements, it cannot run Windows 11. I have a Windows 10 license and I want to buy a Windows 11 license, but I don't want to buy another laptop or another processor. Can I LEGALLY install Windows 11 on these laptops and benefit from updates? I assume the possible problems that may arise due to the fact that I use a 7th generation Intel processor instead of an 8th generation one.

:)

 

Windows 11 7th generation processor

Generation 7th CPUs are technically not supported by Microsoft version of Windows 11 using the Media tool or microsoft Health check for Windows 11.

minimum requirement is Intel 8th Generation Intel Core I3-8100 for Windows 11 operating system.

Now you can get Windows 11 to install on Generation 7th CPU if they are in this list.

Generation 7th CPUs

• Intel i7-7740X
  
• Intel i7-7820X
  
• Intel i7-7820HQ
  
• Intel i7-7800X
  
• Intel i9-7920X
  
• Intel i9-7940X
  
• Intel i9-7960X
  
• Intel i9-7980XE
  

The real issue are the Generation 7 & 8 motherboards hardware and bios if they do not support TPM 2.0 and UFEI set up then your out of luck getting proper legal version of Windows 11 to install properly and stable.

There are tricks and work outs to install windows 11 on older CPU's but would not recommend it unless you just want to test run Windows 11.

Personnel you should be aiming for B540 to newer Z790 version to run Windows 11 in its current versions.

Next year Microsoft will start to limit windows 11 to motherboards prior to Z690 range as they head towards full AI compatibility and possible Windows 12 operating system if you want to upgrade from Windows 11 current versions.

So plan ahead and save your money by new motherboard in the Z700 series and Intel I5 13000 to 14000 series range.

DDR 5 ram, use faster Sata connection SDD hard disks 2tb minmium to 4tb versions.

Make sure you set up the bios for UFEI with TPM 2.0 or higher and turn off CSM for Windows 11 to configure 4tb Hard drives if you plan to create extra partitions with D, E, F etc Drive letters using Diskpart to do it.

As in order to use the full 4tb it must be diskpart from MRS to GPT that the diskpart guide you actually need.

I suggest practice diskpart on older hard drive before attempting it on a new one that way you can write down the steps and correct mistakes easier.

Ensure you use Windows 11 Professional version and it is 64 bit version not the fake 32 bit version running around lately which are really linux verisons and modified Windows 10.

 

Windows 11 does not support Intel Core i3 7th generation

You're asking the wrong question, my friend. The correct question is: Why doesn't the Intel Core i3 7th gen processor support Windows 11? And the answer is: Because it lacks hardware features needed to run Windows 11 without crashing.

If you want to know why it lacks the hardware features needed to run Windows 11 without crashing, the answer is that Intel's 7th generation processors were designed before Microsoft designed Windows 11.

It is possible to run Windows 11 on a processor that doesn't support Windows 11. But if you do that, you run the risk that Windows will crash - which is what Microsoft discovered when it was testing Windows 11 on 7th generation processors. And if Windows 11 crashes on your processor, there are no official solutions, because Intel didn't design that processor for Windows 11.

So while you can run Windows 11 on your processor, I hope you'll understand why Microsoft is unable to give its approval in that case.

You may ask the perfectly legitimate question: Why doesn't Microsoft simply change Windows 11, so that it will run successfully on Intel's 7th generation (and earlier) processors? And the answer is: The most critical improvement in Windows 11 is its ability to fight off the current generation of malware. It would be irresponsible for Microsoft to weaken Windows' defenses to make it compatible with older hardware. It wasn't Microsoft's choice to exclude older hardware from Windows 11. Rather, its hand was forced by today's malware writers.

 

Windows 11 7th generation processor

Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

Your processor is not on the official Intel processor supported list for Windows 11.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardw...

Microsoft were testing and adding some more processors, and did add some to the list, they indicate they have now completed testing, and no more processors will be added to the official list.

It is possible to install Windows 11 on an unsupported processor using the Windows 11 ISO, I have Windows 11 installed on an unsupported Core i7 7700HQ processor and Windows 11 runs very smoothly, however Microsoft advise you do not do that, they will not be liable for any problems caused by doing that and also you would not receive Windows 11 updates, however, everyone that has installed Windows 11 on an unsupported processor is still receiving updates.

Microsoft provide the required registry edit on this link.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/way...